Method of finishing stockings



Feb. 9,1926. 1,572,061

E. J. ZIQCK METHOD OF FINISHING STOCKINGS Filed Sept. 1, 1922 3 SheetS-Sh e et l Feb. 9,1926. 1,572,061

E. J. ZIOCK METHOD OF FINISHING STOCKINGS Filed Sept. 1, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9 1926.

E. J. ZIOCK METHOD OF FINISHING STOCKINGS Filed Sept. 1, 1922 3 Sheets-Sht 5 N M QE Q Patented Feb.9 ,1926. IUNITEDIST'ATES 4 v K p 1,512,061 PATENT OFFICE.

i I i EDWARD J'. 2106!, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINQIS, ASSIGNOB TO BUBSON KNITTING OOH- PANY, OI ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION 01' ILLINOIS .mrrnon ofrmrsnme swocxines.

Application filed September 1, 1982. Serial No. 585,828.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD J. ZIooK, acitizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and 5 State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Finishing Stockings, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to the finishing of 1 stockings, socks, mittens and the like, after they have been manufactured, that is, knitted and completed. in so far as their fab ric structure is concerned. By finishing I refer to any or all of the operations which follow, such as bleaching, mercerizing or dyeing, drying, singeing, pressing, etc. u

Heretofore, the methods of handling and finishing stockings have been varied, but primarily characterized by the segregation of apparatus for different operatlons. They have also necessitated handling the stockiugs before and after each operation, and

trucking the stockings from one apparatus to another. Such equipment has been complicated and costly, requiring large floor space and attendant high cost of maintenance and operation. By reason of the many times the stockings must be handled, the labor cost is high; and inasmuch as the individual plays an important part in each operation, such methods are dependent upon more or less skilled labor and comparatively high instruction'cost in order to insure the desired uniformity and quality of product. Furthermore, such methods are inimical to the desired degree of efliciency in the production of first class stockings. due to the arrangement and deficiencies of the apparatus and to the large human element involved. For example, .as a result of bleaching, mercerizing 0r dyeing the stockings in batches or masses in rotary drums or tubs, or in stationary tanks in which the solution is circulated. or agitated, some of the stockings are roughed, torn or stretched, and in some instances are dyed unevenly due to becoming tangled and knotted in the mass. The frequent handling to and from trucks and apparatus is not only a cause of injury to the fabric, but also a source of loss to no little degree through drains and by theft. The foregoing objections and many others resulting from the conditions and circumstances attendant upon such methods have imposed comparatively high cost of production, especially upon those stockings of high grade and quality. a

The primary object, therefore, of the present invention is to provide a new method of handling, treating and finishing stockings, with the view to lowering the cost of production and to improving the fineness of finishand insuring greater uniformity of product.

Another object is to provide an improved method of dyeing and otherwise treating stockings, consisting in boarding the stockings and subjecting the boarded stockings to treatment in successive baths according to the requirements of the particular stockings, that is, as to dyeing, bleaching, mercerizing, etc. According to this method each stocking is drawn onto an individual form or board of the general shape of the stocking, whereupon the board with the stocking thereon in normal shape and condition and with the fabric unlformly exposed, 1s submerged in and subjected to the solution. Each stocking of a batch will therefore, be dyed evenly and uniformly throughout its entire area and in a given length of time since all portions of each stocking are equally exposed to the solution. As the result, less time will be required in, the bath for a batch of stockings, and losses from roughing, etc., are eliminated.

In connection'with the dyeing, my invention also comtemplates the provision of a novel method of marking or identifying each stocking by excluding the dye from predetermined submerged portions of the fabric, preferably at or near the top of the stocking, thereby leaving und ed portions of any character desired. In t is way, an marking, such for example as a trade mar or name, design, character, number, etc., may be permanently applied during the dyeing;

Another novel feature of the invention resides in the method of finishing the stockings, which consists in performmg a series of operations on the boardedi stockings, For example, the boarded stockings may first be subjected to a series of baths, the particu- .lar number and nature of which depends on the material, color, etc., and then dried, singed, pressed and inspected. The particular order of these and other operations is unimportant, the essential factor-being that which the different operations are performed, and the stockings are not removed I from their respective boards until preferably after final inspection. More particular- 1y, my inv ent-ion contemplates the provision of a method wherein the stocking boards or forms are adapted to travel individually as in single file, or collectively as in a group,

and be treated or subjected to different operations, either in the single file order or the group. For example, when dyeing. and drying, I prefer to handle the forms in group units, and when singeing, pressing and inspecting, the single-file order is preferred, for reasons noted hereinafter.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in this art as the invention becomes better under-.

. orm;

Fig. 3 is an illustrationof one example of marking produced by my new method; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a group of stockin forms on a carrier adapted to be I employed in the practice of my new method:

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of one of said form carriers suspended from an overhead track and another in a lowered position with the stockings immersed in more series of baths;

Fig. 6 is a view showing two of the form parriers in a-hot box for drying the stock- 111 ig. 7 is a viewof a group of the stocking forms in single file on a track and showing a means for singeing. the stockings in this position; i

Fig. 8 is an end view of the singeing means in its operative relation to a stocking form;

Fig. 9 is a view showing a means for pressing the stockings:

Fig. 10 is a view showing the stockings at an inspection station; and I Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view showing one example of distributing the stocking forms after they leave the inspection station.

It'will be evident from the drawings that ferredapparatus adapte in illustrating my new method, the apparatus is shown simgily in a brief, diagrammatlc manner, su cient to convey a c ear understanding of the invention. It will, therefore, be understood that the method, both in its entirety and in the distinctive phases claimed hereinafter, may be performed by means of an suitable or prefor the purposes" in mind.

Referring more particularly to the method, the first step. is to board each stocking. Before boarding, I prefer that the stockings shall be completely manu-' factured, and by this I mean that the knit: ting operations are completed as well as the application of the topsand any hand. or machine work affecting the fabric structure, leaving only the finishing operations to be performed. Each stocking will be drawn 35 onto an individual board or form designated generally by- 15, which is preferably flat and shaped to conform to the shape of the stocking. Thev material, dimensions and shape of the form and. of the edge thereof may, however, be varied The primary purpose of the form is to hold the stocking in its natural shape and to serve as a carrier. The stockings may be boarded in any suitable manner, that is, manually or mechanically; and I prefer to employ means for positively holding the top of each stocking in position on the form in order to insure uniformity in length. The means herein disclosed for this purpose consists of a clamping plate 16 at each side of the form adapted to be urged against the-stocking by a spring support 17. 3

My invention contemplates the provision of means for so supporting the stocking forms that they may travel from one station to another, preferably on a track or. a suitable carrier. The forms may during this movement beheld in any position, and in the present instance I have shown themdepending from an overhead track. To this end. each form is equipped at its upper end with one or more rollers 18 adaptedv to travel on a track 19. The forms are also adapted to be carried by a rack or carr er designated generally by 21. shown in Fig. 4. This carrier may comprise a series of track sections 22 held in spaced relation constituting a group unit may be moved along the track 19 from one operative position to another and from station to station, -as the case may be. At each station, tine or more operations are performed on the boarded stockings. The order or sequence of theoperations as described hereinafter is not essential for the reason that the requirements for finishing different kinds of stockings vary considerably.

The first operation illustrated in Fig. 5, is that of treating the boarded stockings by immersion in a bath. There may be a series of baths, illustrated by the tanks, each containing a different solution, whereby the stockings may be successively treated. As an example, I have shown tanks 25 to 31 inclusive, containing solutions such as might be employed in dyeing stockings. The tanks are preferably positioned beneath the track 19 so that the racks may be lowered for immersion of their stockings. In the first tank 25, the stockings will be boiled in a soap solution, this operation being better known to the trade as degumming. This rack of stockings will then be, advanced to the tank 26 for rinsing. .The next treatment will be dyeing the stockings by immersion in the dye solution in the tank 27; The tank 28 may be for the purpose of rinsing, 29 for developing and fixing commonly known as diazotizing, and 31 for softening. It Will be manifest to those'skilled in this art that for dyeing stockings of other material than silk, and for bleaching and mercerizing, the proper baths and solutions will be provided, the intention of the present invention being that a group unit of stockings shall be treated in the different baths in whatever order or sequence desired or necessary. The means by which immersion of the stockings in the respective baths is effected is not important to the present invention, especially inasmuch as various mechanical appliances may be employed to this end.

Particular attention is directed, however, to the effect of these treatments. especially wherein chemicals are employed in the solution. Heretofore. in treating stockings in large quantities, considerable ditliculty has been experienced in attempting to obtain uniform results and evenness of the color or any other effect. This was due rimari- 1y to bunching or massing the stoc ings to a greater or less extent in containers, compartments or nets submersed in the solution, or in rotary drums which revolve in the solution, or in stationary tanks in which the solution was circulatedby pumps, as is well understood. By reason of these methods some of the stockings became tangled and knotted in the mass and the treating period was therefore. necessarily extended longer than would be ordinarily required for-treating a single stocking. Furthermore. under such prior methods, the stockings are roughed to a greater or less extent according to themethod, thus impairing the quality and grade of the product. By my present method each stocking by immersion in the solution while on a form is subjected to the same treatment and the fabric throughout each stocking is uniformly exposed to the action of the solution The dyeing, bleaching or mercerizing will, therefore, be uniform and without streaks and variations in shades, and the time required in the bath may be reduced. By this method there is little liability of stockings being lost or stolen, and the matter of handling the stockings before and after each bath as between the truck and the container is entirely eliminatedf Another advantage of such method is that the knitted fabric lies in a substantially flat, normal condition as distinguished from a mass and subject to straining stresses by pulling, twisting, etc.; and furthermore, in the present method the stocking comes in contact only with the form on which it is carried. Consequently, there is no danger of the fibers being roughed or torn by c0ntact with parts of the equipment or of the tank. Superior results are also obtained, because of the quiescent condition of the stocking in the solution as distinguished from those methods in which the stockings are tumbled or circulated.

I have utilized this method of dyeing for permanently applying to each stocking a trade name, identification, marking or any character or design. To this end I employ one or more marking plates, such for example as the plates 16 mentioned above, hav ing raised characters 20 on one side. These plates are pressed against the fabric on opposite sides of the stocking form with sufiicient pressure to preclude access of the dye solution to those portions of the fabric beneath the raised characters. Consequently, when the stocking is submersed. it will be dved except for those portions covered by said characters. In the present instance. the characters are in the form of letters making up the trade name'Burson which will be permanently embodied in the fabric at both sides of each stocking. The plates 16 also serve to prevent the stocking from creeping on the form and constitute a means for determining uniform length of stockings of a given size. g

The next step or operation in the method, shown in Fig. 6, consists in. drying the boarded stockings in a hot air drier 32. Any suitable means for artificially drying the stockings may, however, be employed to quicken the drying process. The stocking forms may be moved into and out of the drying compartment either individually or in group units, the particular means or method whereb the stockings are carried through the drying station being not important. The

od, because the stockings will dry by exposure to the atmosphere; and this method while being slower ma nevertheless, be used. The preferred met 0d of drying 1s, however, by' artificial means by placing the boarded stockings in a heated compartment and circulating the air b a blower or fan. This step or operation in the method also enables a saving in the cost of production of sto ck ings as it eliminates expensive steam drying forms and other apparatus heretoforeeniployed, and also the attendant labor cost resulting from handling the individual stockings. Another advantage of illy method is that the stockings may be dried in a comparatively short time, and at a lower temperaturethan ordinar ly used, with the result that the luster of the fabric is not impaired as it would be when sub jected to higher temperatures.

After the stockings have been dried, they will pass on the track to the si-ngeingstation at which any loose fibers or particles are burned from the face of the fabric. This operation need not follow the dry ng but may instead be the initial operation after boarding.- While ,singeing is not essential in the production of stockings, never-' theless, it is desirable and beneficialbecause' it improves the finish and is a factor in attaining fineness of quality. LIYLIDVEHUPD contemplates singeing the stockings while they are in single file on a tra'ckand consists in traversing a flame across the sides of each boarded stocking or passing such stocking between the opposed flames. In the present instance, referring to Figs. 7 and 8,

. vertical gas burners 33 arranged in opposed relation, each directing a continuous flame inwardly, are j adapted to be moved back and forth lengthwise of the track, and during each movement will traverse a series of stockings and successively singe the individual stockings. After each series has been singed, another will be advanced to this station to be singed upon* the next traversing movement of the burners.

The next step in the present illustration of mv method is to press the stockings while boarded, and in order to obtain a high luster finish, I employ a hot and a cold press. To this end. one or more of the boarded stockings will be carried on the ,track 19 between a pair of opposed hollow 'plates34 heated internally by steam or otherwise. These plates will be pressed against the interposed stockings under considerable pressure by suitable mechanism. Immediately following this operation these stockings will be similarly pressed between plates 35 cooled by cold water or otherwise. The hot and cold press tsets the fabric and gives a certain luster and fineness of finish not obtained by ordinarymethods. It will be noted that in this operation the fabric body on one side of the stocking does not come in contact with the other as occurs-in thecustomary ressing, but instead each side is interpose 'and pressed between the hard shear surfaces of the stocking form and the inner wall of'the adjacent pressing plate, with the result that a highly effective and'desirable pressing action ling of the stockings. As a result of my new method, it will not be necessary to pair the stockings as to length as heretofore required, and the inspection may be made in much less time than heretofore, especially because it is not necessary to handle each stocking several times in examining both sides.

From the inspection station the stockings will be distributed on different tracks according to the findings of the-inspectors. Fqr example, the first and second class stocklugs and the mendswill be distributed along tracks 36, 37- and 38, respectively. The stockings may now be stripped from the boards, labeled and packed or otherwise disposed of, as the case may require. In the event that further distribution of the stockings from tracks 36 and 37 is required, such for example as regards styles, grades or sizes, additional distributin tracks 39, 41 and 42 may be employed lea ing from each of the tracks 36 and 37 to the stripping and packing stations. The particular system and arrangement of tracks after the inspection station may, however, be modified and varied. V

My new method not only possesses many advantages over prior methods "of handling and finishing stockings, but also produces new results, especially in regard to the fineness, grade and quality of the finisl1,"the cost of production, the installation, maintenance and operation cost, and in the uniformity of product. As to the fineness of finish, it will be evident to those skilled in this art that by performing the several operations on the stockings while boarded, certain desirable results are obtained as referred to above in describing the different operations. Furtherrequired for performing the different operations were invariably segregated and of such a nature as to necessitate a great amount of manual labor f r handling the stockings before and after each operation, and to further necessitate the use of different types of trucks for moving the stockings from-one machine or-station to another. Under my new system the stockings are not removed from the board or forms until completely finished and they travel on suitable carriers from one station to another practically without interruption. It will thus be apparent that my new method effects a considerable savingin the cost of installation, maintenance and operation of apparatus for handling and finishing stockings, that less time and labor are required, that a better and more uniform product is produced, and that the cost of production is lowered.

From the above description, it will be apparent that there is provided a method possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in the use of its different steps and operations and in the construction and arrangement of apparatus, withoutvdeparting from the principles involved orsacrificing any advantages.

While in order to comply with-the statute,

'the invention has been described in lanbroadly in any of its possible forms or modifications within the scope of the appended claims.

In the description and claims it should be noted that finishingarefers to any operation after the stocking has been manufactured; that stocking refers to hosiery in general; that board is used with reference to an form or holder, regardless of material, s ape or dimensions, on which a stocking is adapted to be drawn and supported in extended condition; that boarded stocking means a stocking on any board or form; and that treating has reference to immersion of the stocking in any bath or subjecting the stocking to the action of any solution. 7 i

I claim:

1. The method of finishing stockings, consisting in holding each stocking to a predetermined length on a substantially flat form shaped to hold the fabric under substantially uniform tension throughout its area, singeingeach stocking while it is on the form between opposed elements by causing relative movement between said elements and the form in a plane parallel with said flat plane of the form, subjecting the stocking to a liquid treatment uniforml applied throughout its area while it is he d on the form, and drying the stocking without removing it from the form.

2. The method of dyeing knit stockings consisting in uniformly applying a dye solution to each stocking'while it is held on a form without subjecting the stocking fabric to pressure with or contact by external means except that which may be employedfor holding the stocking on the form.

3. The method of dyeing knit stockings consisting in drawing each stocking onto a form shaped to conform to the knit fabric,

holding v the stocking to a predetermined len th on the form, subjecting the stocking while on the form lo a dye solution uniformly applied throughout its area for a given time, except for the portion of the stocking engaged by theholding' means.

4. The method of finishing stockings, consisting in drawing each stocking onto a form shaped to conform'to'the knit fabric.

engaging the stocking near the top thereof for holding it to a predetermined length on the form, subjecting the stocking while on the form to a dye solution uniformly'applied throughout the area of the fabrlc except for the portion engaged by said holding means, allowing a predetermined time interval to elapse after the dyeing, and subjecting the stocking while on the form to one or more liquid solutions for treating the stocking subsequently to and for fixing the dye.

5. The method of finishing stockings, consisting in drawing each stocking onto a form shaped to conform to the knit fabric, engaging the stocking near the top thereof for holding it to a predetermined length on the form, subjecting the stocking while on the form to the action of liquid dye uniformly applied throughout the area of the fabric except for the ortion engaged by said holding means, an drying the stockmg without removing it from the form.

EDWARD J. ZIOCK. 

